Andy Reid coaching rumors heat up

Football: Days after being fired by the Eagles, former GCC player could be in line for new position with two teams.

January 02, 2013|By Jeff Tully, jeff.tully@latimes.com

Former Glendale Community College football player and… (Courtesy of Miles…)

Andy Reid is apparently a hot commodity when it comes to open jobs in the NFL.

Only days after being fired by the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, the former Glendale Community College player is rumored to be in the running for two new coaching positions.

Just Tuesday, Reid was thought to be heading to Arizona to take over the struggling Cardinals organization. Media outlets are reporting that Reid has an interview with Cardinals management Thursday. ESPN even reported that there was a “95%” chance Reid would be the Cardinals next head coach, but the broadcasting giant has recently backpedaled from that statement.

The Cardinals denied that Reid would be introduced at the organization’s coach and said that he was only a candidate.

“I'm 99% sure that reports of a deal being 95% done are 100% incorrect,” Cardinals vice president of media relations Mark Dalton tweeted.

The Cardinals also confirmed a meeting Wednesday with current defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who also met with management on Tuesday.

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However, in the wake of that news, reports surfaced Wednesday that the 54-year-old Reid would be meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs later in the day in Philadelphia to discuss that team’s opening coaching position.

There was also speculation during the season that if Reid were to be let go by the Eagles, he could be in line for the San Diego Chargers position. The Chargers dismissed former coach Norv Turner on Monday.

“It doesn’t surprise me in the least that he’s getting that kind of attention from other teams,” said former Glendale college football coach and athletic director Jim Sartoris, who coached Reid with the Vaqueros. “If you judge what Andy’s done over his entire career it would be hard to beat trying to find another coach with his caliber for a job. He is a coach that teams know has a great chance at leading them to success,”

Reid, who played football at Glendale college from 1976-77, was let go by Philadelphia after his team posted a 4-12 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs this season. The Eagles closed out their season Sunday with a 42-7 road loss against the rival New York Giants. It was a disappointing season for a franchise — which opened the season 3-1 — that was expected to compete for a Super Bowl championship.